RS3 widen front track/suspension

A3SBQ

A3SBQ

A3 SportBack 2TFSI quattro DSG
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Hi.
I am looks into convert my front track width using parts from an RS3 8p.

Can some one help me with one question and maybe Parton. ?

I am currently using S3 front alloy swiveling arms/hubs.

Question.
Is it only the front bearing and hub that is different?

The reason:
I wish to upgrade to RS3/TTRS brake setup using the RS3 disc. This moves the caliper away from the wheel eliminating the use of spacer.
It'll also widen my front tracks a bit depending on my wheels used for this setup.

Did anyone here tried to do this on a none RS car?
 
That's a lot of effort to have the RS3 brake setup.

You can use RS3 callipers with TTRS discs (same as RS3 but with the correct offset for the A3) and you'd need 19" alloys or 18s that they fit under, for example, the Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2
 
Thanks guys.
I know that TTTS disc is a straight fit.
But I don't want to use this setup.
TTRS disc needs spacers.
I was hoping not to use spacers since the RS3 disc already have a better offset.

I know the cost will be higher but I think this is a better way.
I also track my car and a widened track will help for traction.

So the question.
Is it only the bearing that is different?
What about end/outer driveshaft joint. Will it all fit together?

Thanks for the help
 
A3SBQ said:
Thanks guys.
I know that TTTS disc is a straight fit.
But I don't want to use this setup.
TTRS disc needs spacers.
Click to expand...

I'm confused. My understanding is that the TTRS disc is a straight fit and the RS3 disc on an A3 requires spacers. Or more spacing that the TTRS.
 
I'm 99% sure that it is just the rs3 bearing that is different, having compared a few different hub and bearing set ups side by side:
A3
S3/passat
RS3
TT

The thing that concerns me isn't getting the brakes, hubs etc to fit, it's getting the wheel to fit in the arch, you may need to use something like an SRS tec wide arch kit
 
Thanks BennyBall.
I have done some investigations...

The RS3 bearing and hub is 10mm wider than standard. This will do the trick. The offset of the RS3 disc requiers this widend beaing. If not the disc hit the outer lower ball joint.
By doing this the wheel is moved out from the caliper like if used a 10mm spaser on top of the TT-RS disc.

Now the new question!
Will the stock A3/S3 outer drive shaft joint fit the new bearing. Length and splain????

RS3 Part no list.
RS3 bearing and hub 8P0498621A
RS3 outer drive shaft joint 5N0498099BX (is this needed for the longer bearing/hub? Is the drive shaft splain the same as A3/S3?)

I found a thread quattrowolrd where they use the RS3 bearing for the 10mm spaceing to clear 6pot calipers. (see link below)
http://forums.quattroworld.com/tt2/threads/4009.phtml

Here you will also see the difference in the length.
RS3 bearing 8p0498621a

RS3 on Left side and TT-RS on Right side.

My concern now is that the RS3 and TT-RS have a different drive shaft. Longer or/and different splain....
Is there a way of checking this?
A RS3 donor car wold be great to have for parts :)
 
I know that every TT uses a longer driveshaft than the A3, S3 etc, so I would expect that the RS3 also does although I can't say for sure. The part numbers for driveshafts are a minefield though, there are so many, I'd say the only way to really know would be a side by side comparison of compressed and extended shift lengths
 
Again I'm pretty sure it's just the bearing's you need, I will back this up later on when I have more time..
 
Thanks Craig-P.
Can you check prices in UK? In Norway I have to pay nearly £400 pretty side
 
Hi
Can someone check for prices on the part no
8p0498621a in the UK for me?
Thanks
 
£192 each side I believe. I can double check early next week though....
 
Thanks. That would be great.
It's more than half of the price her in Norway. I was quoted 400 for each side...

I need to get a speed on this mod. My trackday event is in April
 
have you thought about buying some here (UK) and geting them shipped over..?
 
Yes that's the plan now. I am dealing with a company near Manchester. They can ship it together with the machines I am ordering. This would save me the shipping and tax cost...
 
Ok, Well if your struggling let me now and I'd be willing to help you out....
 
Craig-P said:
Ok, Well if your struggling let me now and I'd be willing to help you out....
Click to expand...

Thanks. That's great. Maybe I ask you for this... I'll wait for you to check prices.
I think I'll buy one first to test on my new alloy swiveling hubs... When I see it all fits I'll order the second one.

Doing it this way I don't need longer wheel bolts...
 
The car is pretty much done.
All of the suspension is finished with SuperPro bushing kit and alloy LC arm with adjustable camber and anti lift.
Have been driving with full S3 brake kit front and back.
I also have adjustable ARB from VWR front and rear.
Now I just need to finalize the front with RS brakes and S3 alloy swivels...
 
Last edited:
Craig-P. Can I ask you to buy one bearing for me? And ship it to Norway? I'll wire transfer you the money...
 
Right. Let's update this thread!
I have now installed all the pars.
First I can confirm 100% fitment of the RS3 bearing. There are no different other than the 10mm built in spacer.

So I install all today (well only test fitted one side)
Everything bolted on nicely as expected. Even my BBS "motorsport" wheels fitted bearly with out rubbing.
BUT....
I got 10mm wider track on each side which was expected with or without the RS3 bearing/hub.
I know I will get a lot of rubbing in the wheel arch now.

IMAG1247
IMAG1251
IMAG1249
 
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Reactions: Dan-Jnr
Nice work mate.

How much did this all cost in the end then..? Does it feel any different, better..?

I'm possibly thinking of carrying hthis out myself as I want to run bigger brakes but dont like the idea of using spacers etc..
 
Hi Craig-P.
I think I payed £219 for the bearing (I only bought one for safe measure.

To go this route you only gained built in spacers of 10mm. Nothing more.
The caliper and discuss sits in the same position (offset)
The alloy "hat" is different from the TTRS vs RS3.
I knew that I need spacers around 10mm or more. That's why I want to test this. Don't like using loose spacers in different thickness and different lengths on the wheel bolts.

BUT now I get wheels rubbing against the fender and that's a no go.

I think I will be needing new wheels that are clearing the caliper without using spacers on the TTRS disc setup.
I am also going to use VAGbremtechnic disc and brackets. The discs are 362mm in diameter which helps on the wheel barrel clearance.

Do you guys have any tip on good looking wheels? My maximum size is 18"

I have been looking at the Revo wheels. But sadly they only comes as 19".
http://www.revotechnik.com/product-details/wheels/rv019-wheelset-19-x-85-5-x-112-et45-571mm-cb
 
get the rs3 wide fenders, or roll your current ones to be a little wider and there you go, its cheaper than changing wheels.
 
Hi Fernando.
Yes RS3 fenders is tempting but this also involves the new front bumper to plus Som other small items and to finish it a paint job is needed. It's not cheap either...

Do you have any experience with rolling fenders?
 
on my S3, not really, but my brother rolled the fenders on his Evo X and turned out nicely

i'd be good if you go to a body shop specialized garage and ask for an advice. there's anything that cant be adapted ;)
for sure it's gonna look great, probably its gonna look like an RS3 without needing to replace the whole thing, for just 10mm.

good luck. post pictures!
 
I have now booked fenders rolled out on all 4 corners. The price is £217
The guy is a specialist and had good experiences wit the A3 8p platform included his own A3.
I'll report back with pictures soon to come. This might be a happy ending after all.
 
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Reactions: Craig-P
Ok. Hers some updates.
I ended up with only rolling the front fenders. The result is ok and can't easily be seen if you don't know about it.
I'll try and upload some pictures soon.

Sadly it wasn't enough.
So I have two solutions for it.
Either go back to use ttrs disc's and buy new wheels. Or change my fenders.

I have come a cross this widened feendes. They give 30mm extra on each side.
Did anyone here try this?

http://srs-tec.de/cars/Audi/A3-Spor...s-GT-AUDI-A3-Sportback-8PA-Facelift::397.html

The new stopping power is great though. It's a massive improvement over the S3.
 
Last edited:
hey man, I can't answer any of your questions as I haven't done any of this to any car ive owned, but intrigued none the less. Make sure you update this with pics as you go along my friend, looking to be a very interesting build with you going against the norm :racer:
 
Thanks Jamie.
I'll try and share as much as possible.
It's a slow process. I have not the time that I wish I had to do all in one day.

I'll post some pics soon.
 
Hi everyone this thread has been so helpful so thanks to everyone,
I have gone ahead and put the new rs3 8v 8 pot calipers on with the rs3 8v disc and pads all I did was chance the wheel bearings at the front and worked

I've done a rs3 rep so I haven't got the fender issues

Wondering if anyone know of the rear bearing and hubs are different on the rs3 compared to the s3?

Just got me wondering if the front is wider surely the back must be to match the with all round sort of thing if that makes sense?

Anyhow it's bugging me can anyone calif this if they are different ill the back ones too

I only had these fitted a week ago so just wanting know about the rear situation

Thanks in advance
 
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